Friday, April 24, 2009

Alienhits Loves... the Newcomers of Spring!

In the next couple of months there will be at least three debut albums released that could end up shaping the rest of the year. There aren't many things more exciting than a new face bursting onto the music scene, and each one of these faces are more than welcome to stay around for awhile.

First off is Tommy Sparks, who's self-titled debut comes out next month. His latest single, She's Got Me Dancing, is quickly moving up the radio one playlist, which hopefully means that he'll end up as a huge success. I've heard many of the songs and clips from the album and it sounds like just the type of thing I like. There are echoes of Scissor Sisters, Prince, and the Cars all over it. It's classic pop music, commercial and artistic. The track Messages that he did with Filthy Dukes earlier this year is AMAZING.Next comes La Roux, who are currently defying expectations and rocketing to the top of the British charts with their single In For The Kill. Again, I've heard a handful of tracks and samples from the album and the more I listen to them, the more I anticipate hearing more. The vocals have gotten much attention, splitting people's opinion on the band. I wasn't sold initially, but have come around quite dramatically. The clip Popjustice posted today of a forthcoming ballad sounds gorgeous.

Finally, there are the Galvatrons (aka: the band built especially with my tastes in mind). I would kill for a tracklist or album cover from these guys, just as proof that the record is actually coming and coming on time. Last I heard, it was due at the beginning of June. But, that could easily change I suppose. Every song I've heard from this band blows my mind, and their new single Cassandra is one of the best of the year. Their music is the big summer blockbuster I can't wait to hear.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

The weather has been dynamite in the Pacific Northwest lately, which is getting me thinking about Summer. One of my favorite Summer songs ever (and a nice follow-up to yesterday's post) is Niklas Stenemo's This Summer. Stenemo is the bassist in Melody Club, the former lead singer of the Mo and the singer of electro duo Kite (as if you didn't know all that already). He's released three solo songs on his myspace, and I'd kill to hear more because the combination of his voice, his songwriting, and his production is second to none. This Summer is a track I always dust off this time of year because it's the perfect "turning the page on winter" type of sound. The drums, the lyrics... I can't even put into words how much I love this brand of pop music. There's just something about it. Listen for yourself and enjoy!

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Listen to more here.)

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

It was inevitable that I was going to end up doing a proper song post about Melody Club's new work. The album is out today (physically-it was out digitally on Monday) and I urge everyone to give it a listen if you haven't already. Eighteen is still rocking my world, but I'm thinking that if they go with a third single it should definitely be the ultra-summery High Society Girl. As with every song they write, it's crafted just for the radio, with breezy harmonies, plenty of hand claps, and an unattainable love story that's in keeping with the album's overall concept of... unattainable love. With each album, the band have veered from synth-pop to euro-pop to funk-pop and now to sixties/summer-pop, always keeping the "pop" at the forefront and always molding the different genres around their own glossy sound.On a related note, if anyone can clue an American fan in on how to get ahold of You're My Favorite Waste Of Time (the itunes bonus track from the new album), I would be eternally grateful.

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the album here.)

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

I have been waiting for Chester French's debut album for what seems like forever. Today's the day that it's finally released, and it's an odd little pop album: about one third brilliant, one third good and one third filler. There are a lot of genres thrown together (most taken from decades past), though their best sound by far is uptempo indie pop like the type found on their excellent single She Loves Everybody. C'mon might even top that classic, with its insistent tambourine and punchy chorus. It's a perfect kickoff to the album, followed by the similarly catchy Bebe Buell. From there things go a bit meh until She Loves Everybody, especially during the endless (pointless) Country Interlude. In fact, skip all the interludes. The guys should stay with tight pop songs like this one, because they're amazing when they do.

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the album here.)

Monday, April 20, 2009

The new Noisettes release is out today in the UK, and it's quite a soulful, funky affair. Imagine Amy Winehouse with an ear for pop radio. Wild Young Hearts is the no-argument Classic of the album (if you haven't heard it yet, you must) but I'm going to post my other favorite track, Never Forget You. It's a midtempo, old-school 60's sounding soul song that manages to put Winehouse, Adele and Duffy all to shame. Like the Zutons' Valerie a couple of years ago, it's got the soulful summer sound down perfectly. In fact, the entire album--a slick mix of ballads and dancier stuff--will end up as the soundtrack to many barbecues, for sure. I have to say, though, that it would benefit from some reshuffling of the tracks (Sometimes is pretty, but hardly a "wow" opener). I love this band's willingness to experiment and change styles, retaining strong hooks throughout. This will certainly be their breakout album.

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the album here.)

the bias list//

skyship academy//

...Transmissions come in from outposts all over the universe... Unfamiliar melodies stream into our radios... Fronted by colorful aliens with big voices... The music begins to catch on ... It's in our heads and it refuses to leave... And we like it...

I post music on this blog out of love for the artists and in the hope that I can promote the singers and bands that I am so passionate about. If you are (or represent) an artist and would like any content taken down, don't hesitate to email me at the link above and it will be removed immediately.